Egypt's Mubarak names Vice President

[random3434]

Breaking News:

CAIRO — Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak named a vice president Saturday for the first time since coming to power nearly 30 years ago. It was a clear step toward setting up a successor in the midst of the biggest challenge ever to his rule from tens of thousands of anti-government protesters.

Mubarak named his intelligence chief and close confidant Omar Suleiman, state television reported.

Egypt's Mubarak names vice president for 1st time - latimes.com

 

[Annie]

He's trying to hold on, but it looks like a pretty unlikely outcome at present:

Live blog 29/1 - Egypt protests | Al Jazeera Blogs

6:04pm President Mubarak's two sons, Gamal and Aala, have reportedly arrived in London.

6:00pm Former aviation minister Ahmad Shafiq is appointed the new prime minister of Egypt and will be responsible for forming new government.

5:36pm Ayman Mohyeldin is reporting that protesters continue trying to break into the Egytian ministry of the interior, as evening prayers conclude in Cairo.

5:25pm Head of Egyptian intelligence, Omar Suleiman, is sworn in as vice president. With his military credentials, the powerbroker is known to have significant connections and credibility inside and outside the country.

5:09pm President Mubarak reportedly holding meetings to discuss current unrest and rising tensions.
...

 

[Valerie]

A precursor to his resignation...


http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hosni-mubarak-names-omar-suleiman-vice-president/story?id=12792148

 

[Valerie]

Today's protests started earlier than they have all week in an attempt by demonstrators to keep up the momentum that has backed Egypt's president into a corner.

Egypt's mobile phone service was restored after the government blocked it on Friday, along with the internet, in an attempt to quell the uprising. But communication was still spotty.

Mubarak will announce a new prime minister and Cabinet today, but protesters say that's not enough and that it's the country's commander-in-chief they want to see gone.

 

[BlackAsCoal]

Meaningless.

His VP is just another military stooge.

Won't change the dynamics of the protests.

 

[Modbert]

Mubarak cannot honestly believe this is going to satisfy those who are calling for real change.

 

[p kirkes]

Isn't Egypt's presidential elections set for September? If HM resigns and the new VP and cabinet assume a caretaker status the revolt would lose momentum. Then a duly elected President would be free to lead Egypt.

 

[Valerie]

"America's message has been consistent. We want to see free and fair elections and we expect that will be one of the outcomes of what is going on right now," Secretary of State Clinton said during an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press."

US wants 'free, fair' Egypt elections: Clinton - The Times of India

 

[Valerie]

WASHINGTON--Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for an "orderly, peaceful transition" to a "real democracy" in Egypt, and said the U.S. wants to see free and fair elections in Egypt as a result of the antigovernment unrest.

Although U.S. officials have been careful not to call for the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Mrs. Clinton's comments on the Sunday morning news shows seemed to inch the U.S. government toward pushing the Egyptian president to let go of his grip on power.

"We have to … stand ready to help with the kind of transition that will lead to greater political and economic freedom," Mrs. Clinton said on CNN.

While calling on the Egyptian government to take "concrete steps" toward democratic reforms, Mrs. Clinton also urged Egyptians to refrain from violence.

Mrs. Clinton's comments echoed a statement Saturday from President Barack Obama after a meeting with his national security aides.

Clinton Calls for 'Orderly' Transition to 'Real Democracy' in Egypt - WSJ.com

 

[Oddball]

Breaking News:

CAIRO — Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak named a vice president Saturday for the first time since coming to power nearly 30 years ago. It was a clear step toward setting up a successor in the midst of the biggest challenge ever to his rule from tens of thousands of anti-government protesters.

Mubarak named his intelligence chief and close confidant Omar Suleiman, state television reported.

Egypt's Mubarak names vice president for 1st time - latimes.com

The name Gerald Ford comes to mind.

This thing could get really ugly.